Beginning 2008 With Renewed Commitment to One's Academic Community and Community Around IBC

( IBC January 2, 2008 ) 2008 is a special year for IBC - it marks another watershed in the development and growth of the College.

The year 2008 is likely to be one of the most emotionally charged years since the founding of the College in 2003. It is in 2008 that IBC will have its first batch of M.A. and B.A. graduates, some o f whom may leave IBC for the greater world out there. Some of these graduates will enter the society or pursue further studies either at IBC or universities elsewhere. Wherever they choose to go or whatever they choose to do, they will bring with them and stamp their deeds with the 'marks of IBC'. Through their years of living and learning at IBC, IBC has become an inseparable part of them. The moment the graduates leave IBC is also the moment the society or institution that they enter gains from them - of this IBC is confident. It is this confidence that keeps IBC going, from strength to strength as it surmounts each obstacle and nourishes from each triumph.

Each year at IBC is a year spent not only on formal education, teaching and learning, but also through informal education, teaching and learning to impart and acquire knowledge, skills and wisdom for harmonious and ethically (Buddhist) productive living in a culturally diverse environment, and for leading a service-oriented public-spirited life through making contribution to oneself, one's own community and communities around IBC. Public-spiritedness is one of the marks of IBC. Knowing how to acquire and use wisdom and skills is another mark. Wisdom and skills will accompany their public-spirited dharma journey for the good of many.

It is therefore not surprising that 2008 opened with a dharma sharing on the principles of harmonious and productive living, teaching and learning in the multitraditional and multicultural community of not less than 15 nationalities and three major Buddhist traditions at IBC.

It is not surprising that 2008 opened also with IBC's selfless service and contribution to the society and community around IBC. Students and staff of IBC organise and run the Klintiendharm weekend school that is open to the children and adults of the communities around IBC.

Way to Go IBC - for the benefits of many-